Research Assistant, Senior

The Senior Research Assistant will perform research in the biology of aging as a key contributor to a laboratory working to identify and understand interventions to ameliorate age-onset diseases and pathology. The Burkewitz lab uses a combination of molecular genetic, biochemical, and cell biological approaches to study the interconnections between cell biology and metabolism, primarily in C. elegans and occasionally through work in other model systems. The position involves working closely with the principal investigator to execute and maintain best-practices in a new laboratory.  The Senior Research Assistant will be responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the laboratory, including ordering supplies and reagents, coordinating and assisting with media preparation, and coordinating maintenance of biological libraries (e.g., C. elegans strains, nonpathogenic bacterial stocks, cell lines, plasmids, primers, etc.). Upon mastery of these tasks, the position provides an opportunity to grow and learn as an experimentalist, including C. elegans husbandry and genetic analyses, fluorescence microscopy, and standard molecular biology and biochemical analyses.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology is a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment for cutting-edge research over a scale that spans seven powers of ten, from single molecules to whole organisms. The difference between a test tube and a cell is spatio-temporal organization, and we study molecular, cellular and tissue organization in many of the laboratories within our department, seeking insights into fundamental biological questions and human disease. We are an interactive and highly collaborative department, with a strong graduate student association, outstanding core facilities, a top-ranked developmental biology program, and exceptionally strong faculty.  Recent faculty recruits are studying cell migration using super-resolution microscopy, single molecule analysis of microtubule dynamics, systems biology of intestinal epithelia, stem cell biology, and the regulation of plasma membrane composition and ageing.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Assist with daily lab operations

• Participate in media and buffer preparation
• Assist in maintaining libraries of biological reagents (primers, plasmids, bacteria, cell lines and C. elegans strains)
• Assist in procuring reagents and supplies and maintain the lab inventory
• Assist in maintaining lab instruments and equipment
• Assist in maintaining lab compliance with biological and chemical safety protocols

C. elegans husbandry and transgenesis

• Grow bacterial cultures and maintain animals
• Assist with experiments and microscopy
• CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and mutagenesis
• Microinjection

Molecular and cell biological analysis

• Protein biochemistry
• PCR, gel electrophoresis
• Molecular cloning
• RNA/DNA extraction, qRT-PCR

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• Three years of laboratory experience or a Master’s degree is required.
• Strong communication and organizational skills are required.
• Diligence along with the ability and desire to maintain high quality and safety standards are required. 
• Experience in standard molecular biological techniques is required.
• Experience working with C. elegans is preferred.
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy is preferred.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
 

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
 

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.